Amidst the shadows and the secrets

Night Fifty-One

Yui got herself her breakfast and took the seat opposite her. "You want to do something tonight? I did enjoy the shopping." 

"Me too," Chisana saw her smile. "There is still some homework waiting. Maybe later." 

Yui raised her eyebrows. "I should check on my homework as well." 

"Is this girl talk or something?" Ayato threw his arms in the air. "I get it, I get it, I'm gone already, geez." The next moment, he disappeared. 

Yui laughed and winked at her friend. "Perhaps we need to talk like that more often, and he might leave me alone for a bit." 

"Who knows." Chisana reacted back without actually listening. I wonder if she would come again and why to me alone? I'm not the only girl she can bite. Unless Ayato is bugging her so much that Aiko can't get close to her. If that's the case, she will come to me more often. She finished her tea and got up to clean it. "Depending on what the homework is, I might take it outside. How about you, Yui?" 

Yui rose from her seat. "That's a good idea. The weather is lovely. If we could have electricity there, I could take the laptop there." 

"Even for just an hour, it should be fine with the battery. I'll go get my homework. We'll figure something out outside when we're back in the kitchen." Chisana banned the thoughts of Aiko from her mind. There isn't much room for you anyway. It's myself, my health, my homework, and the six men. Since they do bite me. After cleaning Yui's stuff as well, she went upstairs to get her laptop and a few books when she saw Aiko on her bed again. Don't you have something else to do than bugging me? Without saying anything, she grabbed her laptop, picked the books she needed, and left. I need to listen to Reiji's rules and not hers. She doesn't get to boss me around! Back in the kitchen, she found the door wide open and went outside. Where she saw a table with a few chairs. 

"I heard you two talk." Reiji knew that, from what he had seen the previous night, her smile was genuine now the two girls are friends. "I'll be baking in the kitchen, so I'm close. Also interested in some muffins?" 

"That would go nicely with the tea. I'll just set everything up first..." The sound of the water boiler came to her. "Or you anticipated it, in that case, thank you." 

Reiji nodded. "I know how much you like tea." 

Moments like these, you can chase the other girl from my mind. I do appreciate it. She took a seat and made sure everything was ready to get started. Laptop on, my book for social studies, and an expendable outlet? Reiji, thank you, we can stay outside a little longer. 

"Did you..." Yui laughed. "Never mind, nothing stays a secret in this house, is it." She understood Reiji set it all up for them. 

Chisana closed her eyes. I know I can rely on you but am I trusting you? Having her eyes closed, she saw once again how he walked away from her with Seiko. Shaking her head, she opened her eyes. I guess not. That image is still burning in the back of my mind. 

"Is everything alright?" Reiji gave them both a cup of tea. 

"Bracing myself for my homework assignment. The enneagram one first, I hope to finish it tonight." Chisana pulled a face. No time to think about that. Homework comes first. 

Reiji turned back. "Good luck then. I'm in the kitchen if you need me, but I doubt you do." 

*** 

For a while, Chisana heard soft typing coming from Yui and herself. Even Reiji came to give them a muffin, but he left without saying anything, and she appreciated it. If bad behavior gets you punished, why not reward you with good behavior? She could still hear him say it and smiled.